1903-04-22 (175lbs) Jack Root w pts 10 Charles Kid McCoy, Light Guard Armoury, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Referee: Bat Masterson. Previously considered to be the division’s first title fight, even if it was only billed for the American 175lbs championship, Root (168) started fast, landing lefts and rights to the head without return. Dropped in the second round by a body punch and saved by the bell McCoy (173) was again put down in the third (twice), seventh, eighth and ninth prior to desperately holding on to the end of the tenth. The famous referee, George Siler, writing in the Chicago Tribune, said: “There was really no necessity to advertise the fight as a championship bout as the new light heavyweight class should only be seen as a maverick, and as such has no standing”.